Sir Edmund William Gosse papers
Biographical / Historical note
Sir Edmund William Gosse (1849-1928) poet and man of letters, was the only son of the zoologist Philip Henry Gosse (1810-1888). He was successively employed in the cataloguing department of the British Museum, 1865-1875, as translator to the Board of Trade, 1875-1904, and as Librarian to the House of Lords, 1904-1914. From 1875 he published volumes of poetry, criticism and biography, which led to a lecture tour in the United States in 1884-85 and an appointment as lecturer in English literature at Cambridge, 1885-1890. His reputation as a critic suffered in a controversy with John Churton Collins in 1886, but he eventually recovered and from 1918 to 1928 he wrote a series of weekly columns about books for the Sunday Times. Gosse's acquaintances included most of literary London, and his home was a meeting place for many friends.
Scope and Contents
The Sir Edmund William Gosse Papers are comprised of one box containing correspondence concerning the details of publishing and criticism, business exchanges, and social notes. The letters to Theodore Blake Wirgman, sculptor and painter, concern paintings, Academy showings, and social occasions. Other correspondents include Jack Lindsay of Franfrolico Press, Kate Douglas Wiggin, John Lane, Oswald John Frederick Crawfurd, and Clarence Winthrop Bowen.
Creator
- Gosse, Edmund, 1849-1928 (Person)
Dates
- Creation: 1882-1929
Language of Materials
English
Extent
1 box(es)
Access
The Sir Edmund William Gosse Papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.
Use
In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was the gift of Gamma Phi Sorority, August 1974; Purchased from Rendell, March 18, 1975; Motley Collection-gift of Mrs. Albert Eastwood.
Further accruals are not expected.
Preferred Citation
[Item title, item date], Sir Edmund William Gosse Papers, D.46, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester
Subject
- Gosse, Edmund, 1849-1928 (Person)
- Wirgman, Theodore Blake, 1848-1925 (Person)
- Title
- Sir Edmund William Gosse papers
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Rare Books and Special Collections staff
- Date
- undated
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Library Details
Part of the Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation Library